ULAN-UDE, September 2 (RIA Novosti) -Military aircraft will land on a highway for the first time in the history of the Russian Armed Forces as part of military exercises in Russian Far East, Deputy Defense Minister Bulgakov said Tuesday.

â€œFor the first time in the history of Russian military, a Russian Air Force plane is scheduled to land on the federal highway in Primorsky Territory. The aircraft will conduct landing, receive comprehensive maintenance, including refueling, and then take off to fulfill the tasks according to the exercise scenario,â€ Gen. Bulgakov said.

The military drills will take place from September 2 to 5. About 20 military units and organizations from the Eastern Military District as well as the Transport Ministry, the Federal Agency for State Reserves, Russian Railways (RZD) and Russian Highways (Avtodor) will participate in the exercises.

I don't believe this news. First time? The Mig29 was specifically built to take off and land from improper airstrips, including highways. In fact Belorussians have already landed a Mig 29 on a highway. If Belorussians can do it, are we to assume that the Russians haven't done it till now? This is probably just a publicity stunt